Steve Howe - The Steve Howe Album (1979)

 (U.K 1964 - Present)

Steve Howe received his first guitar, an f-hole acoustic, as a Christmas present from his parents at age 12 and eventually began playing in local halls. He bought his first electric guitar, a solid body Guyatone, around 1961, and one of the guitars he is most identified with, a Gibson ES-175D, in 1964. About this guitar, Howe said: "No one was playing archtop, hollowbody guitars in a rock band. People laughed at me and thought I was really snooty. To me, it was an object of art, it wasn't just a guitar." He made his first recording, Chuck Berry's "Maybellene", in 1964 with The Syndicats, who were produced by Joe Meek. He and other members of Tomorrow took part in a pie fight in the 1967 comedy about Mods in London, Smashing Time, starring Rita Tushingham, Lynn Redgrave, and Michael York. In 1968, he recorded albums with both Tomorrow (initially called The in Crowd) and Bodast.

Howe declined offers from both The Nice and Jethro Tull while waiting for a record deal to materialise for Bodast, but the group's prospective label went bankrupt. He was then approached by the members of Yes as a possible replacement for Peter Banks, who had appeared on the group's first two albums.

Yes Years
In June 1970, Howe joined Yes and after a few gigs, including the Lyceum Theatre, London (where the version of "Clap" on The Yes Album was recorded), the band retreated to a farm in Devon to rehearse and write new material. Howe was pictured with the group on the non-Europe jacket of their second album, Time and a Word, which was released in August, although it was Banks who had actually played on the recording.

The first Yes album Howe played on was The Yes Album. Beginning with The Yes Album, Howe's electric and acoustic guitars, combined with Jon Anderson's vocals, Chris Squire's bass, and Tony Kaye's keyboards were seen as an essential part of the band's early sound. Released in 1971, the album was a commercial breakthrough for the group.

Howe continued with the band until Yes officially split up on 18 April 1981. Although the group was back together less than a year later, Howe was not included in the new line-up.

During his time with Yes, Howe released 2 solo albums, starting with Beginnings in 1975 (pictured left) , which wasn't really a huge success. I purchased this album (being a huge Yes fan) and remember being very disappointed in what I heard (but suspect I was looking for a new Yes album). The album was primarily an acoustic album which was not my style at the time, and must have sold it some time later.

The Album
The Steve Howe Album is Steve Howe's second solo album and was a much stronger solo effort. It was released in 1979. The album features Yes band members Alan White, Bill Bruford and Patrick Moraz. Also featured is Jethro Tull's former drummer Clive Bunker on percussion on one song. The album cover was designed by non other than renowned artist Roger Dean, who also designed most of the Yes album covers.

Steve's Album Instruments

The Steve Howe Album contains many of Howe's strongest and most original compositions. Whereas some of his albums can be associated with the sound of the bands in which he's played, this release is unique. Howe places himself in a country/bluegrass setting on most of the compositions, and that is what makes this project so appealing -- he's a rock veteran venturing outside of his field. And with Graham Preskett playing violin on "The Continental," Howe turns in what sounds like a real hoedown. The first track, "Pennants," is a gem for the more rock-oriented fan. The cut opens with the sweet, resonant, rocking sounds of Howe's Fender Telecaster; he then adds mandolin and a pervasive twin-neck steel, while drummer Alan White keeps it all rhythmic.

Steve plays his Gibson ES 175 D

Half of the tracks are played by Howe alone, most notably "Surface Tension," his composition for solo Spanish guitar. Other cuts feature former Yes-mates White, Bill Bruford, and Patrick Moraz (all of whom participated on Howe's first solo album), and Claire Hamill, who sings beautifully on "Look Over Your Shoulder." Only one other cut includes vocals: "All's a Chord," on which Howe's singing is awkward but appealing. The song, comprised of several movements and musical styles (including classical), features Howe on eight different stringed instruments, including bass, pedal steel, sitar, banjo, mandolin, and his trademark deep-bodied electric-acoustic Gibson ES 175 D.

Steve plays with 59 Piece Orchestra

The final two pieces are set apart from the rest of the recordings. On both compositions, equipped only with his Gibson Les Paul, Howe is accompanied by a string ensemble on his interpretation of Vivaldi's Concerto in D, Second Movement, and by a 59-piece orchestra on "Double Rondo." Andrew Jackman (who served as orchestrator and conductor on Chris Squire's Fish Out of Water several years earlier) conducts. 

The Steve Howe Album is a culmination of everything Howe represents, every genre of music he loves so dearly, exquisitely played and arranged. The inside cover colorfully depicts all the stringed instruments Howe used on the recordings, and Roger Dean's cover painting makes the package complete [review comments thanks to David Ross Smith]

This post consists of FLACs ripped from my recently acquired vinyl (thanks to my Trash & Treasure mate Daniel for the trade) and includes the usual cover art for both CD and Vinyl, along with label scans.  The album is in mint condition and resonates the wonderful sounds that Howe produced on his wide range of guitars and related instruments.  Although this album will be popular with all Yes fans, it will also appeal to anyone who appreciates fine guitar work by a musical prodigy.

Track Listing: 

01 Pennants

02 Cactus Boogie

03 All's a Chord

04 Diary of a Man Who Vanished

05 Look Over Your Shoulder

06 Meadow Rag

07 The Continental [Conrad, Magidson]

08 Surface Tension

09 Double Rondo

10 Concerto in D, 2nd Movement [Vivaldi]

Steve Howe - Guitars, Bass, Moogs, Vocal

Claire Hamill - Vocals

Patrick Moraz - Piano

Bill Bruford - Drums

Alan White - Drums

Ronnie Leahy - Hammond Organ, Korg & ARP synths 

Clive Bunker - Percussion

Graham Preskett - Violin

Steve Howe Album Link (212Mb)